Fire-escape.



J. E. FREYJ FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16- I9|5.

Patented July 25, 1916.

INVENTOR Wi'rbi Esszs WWW .RBrBwWa pairs sora rne TATENT ora ion.

JOHN E. FBEY, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Application filed December 16, 19 15.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, JOHN E. Fnnr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inFire-Escapes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is aside elevation of oneform of my improved fire-escape, shown in posi tion with relation to abuilding structure. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partially in section ofthe escape shown in Fig. 1, on a larger scale; and Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the i fire escape supporting sleeve.

This inventionrelates to an improvement in fire escapes of thesuspension type, and which may be used as a portable escape, or may bepermanently secured in position on the building adjacent to a suitableexit.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich can be readily placed in position, which will be cheap andefficient; and in which the flexible suspension members are incasedwithin telescopic sections down which the user can slide.

1 am aware that there are a great many portable fire escapes on themarket, which consist mainly of a rope and suitable slings which areadapted to slide over the rope, but

such devices are dangerous, as it is well known that the friction causedby sliding over the rope will burn and out the hands and legs of theperson sliding over the same.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, it beingpremised, however, that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of the parts, without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings the reference character 2designates a wall of a building, and 3 a window frame adjacent to whichI have connected one form of my improved escape. This fire escapecomprises a sliding pole which is built up of a plurality of telescopicsections a, which are connected to each other by means of flexibleSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25., 191%.

Serial No. 67,132.

supporting members 5 within the sections. In the drawings 1 have shown aplurality of such flexible supporting members, each of which isconnected to clips 6 secured to ad jacent sections, but if desired, asingle flexible connecting member may be made to extend through theentire structure and connected to the various sections at, differentpoints, the arrangement being such that the sections can be pushed intoeach other, and the flexible supporting members will be coiled up withinthe structure. Connected to thetop of the upper section is a cap mem:her 7 and extending through an opening in this cap member is a cord 8,which is connected to a pointed plug 9 seatedin the lower end of thebottom section, and is arranged to pull up the various sections into theupper section and retain them in such position by securing the cord to acleat 10.

If desired the device may be secured permanently to the building, but Ipreferto provide a clamping member which is adapted to engage both sidesof the wall below a window to retain the device in position, it

being understood that the device is long enough to reach the ground. Theremovable clamp comprises a jaw member 12 which is pivotally connectedat one end to trunnions 13 on a sleeve 1% which is secured to the uppersection, and pivotally connected to thls aw member 12 1s a second awmember 15, which extends through the window and engages the inside ofthe wall. The member 12 is provided with a plurality of openings, sothat there is an adjustable connection between the members 12 and 15.

"When the device is used as a portable fire escape the parts are pushedtogether and held in this position by means of the cord 8. The device isthen passed out through the window and the member lo placed in theposition shown in Fig. 1, and the weight on the member 12 will securelyclamp the parts in a fixed position with relation to the wall. The cord8 is then released, and the sectional members allowed to fall, the point9 will slightly embed itself in the ground or even in a concretepavement to assist in steadying the device, the pole is then in aposition to be used as a sliding pole, the various sections beingsupported by the flexible members 5.

The advantages of my invention result from the provisions of anextensible sliding pole, together With means for clamping it in positionon the Wall of a building.

I claim:

1. A fire escape, comprising a sliding pole having a plurality oftelescopic sections, flexible supporting members Within said sectionsand connected thereto, in such a manner that allot the sections areadapted to be supportedthereby, and a suspending member connected to theupper section and arranged to form a support for thedevice;substantially as described.

2. A fire escape, comprising a sliding pole having a plurality oftelescopic sections, flexible supporting members Within said sectionsand connected thereto, in such a manner that all of the sections areadapted to be supported thereby, a suspending member connected to theupper section and arranged to form a support for the device, and aflexible member Within the telescoping sections arranged to close thedevice; substantially as described. I

3. A fire escape, comprising a flexible member, meansfor securing theupper end to a building, and a metallic casing for said flexible memberformed of a plurality of telescopic members, each of said members beingconnected to the flexible member and 5 arranged to be supported thereby;substantially as described.

4. A fire escape comprising a flexible member, means for connecting theupper end of the flexible member to a building, and a metallic casingfor said flexible member formed of a plurality of telescopic membersconnected thereto and arranged to be supported thereby; substantially asdescribed.

5. A lire escape, comprising a sliding pole having a plurality oftelescopic sections, flexible supporting members within said sectionsand connected thereto, in such a manner that all of the sections areadapted to be supported thereby, and a clamping device connected to theupper section and arranged to form a support for the device;substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand December 11th A. D.1915.

JOHN E. FREY.

Witnesses:

HENRY lV. ARMSTRONG, ADOLF YOUNG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

